Thanks so much to 'Tess' for your review! I'm really glad you're still along for the journey! :)

Chapter 34 - Territorial

Outside, quietly enjoying the rare warmth from the early-spring sun, Elrohir was casually sitting on a stone step as he watched the chaos unravelling before him. People were running this way and that, saddling up horses, retrieving weapons, packing up essentials, saying their goodbyes to loved ones… it just went on and on.

In his two-thousand years of life, the behaviour of humans was something that he always found fascinating. It always amazed him at just how much humans seemed to panic over the slightest things. Like this, for instance; Gondor has called for aid. So what? Just saddle up your horse, pick up your sword, and go! It's that easy, surely? But, no. Here they were, running around like headless chickens, seemingly unsure as to which direction they should be running to, and for what reason. And then there was the noise. By the Valar, why did humans have to make so much damn noise?

He brought up his hand to his mouth and took a long, deep drag of his rolled-up cigarette, momentarily closing his eyes as he relished in the taste of the pipe-weed wonderfully invading his senses. He never did understand why people always smoked this stuff using a pipe. In his opinion, the pipe only hindered, and even tarnished the taste of the leaf.

No, this way; rolled up into something that could comfortably slot between his fingers, direct and no-nonsense, was the only way to smoke it.

"Do you plan on getting up off your arse, this morning?"

Ah, Elladan. Elrohir had wondered how long it would take for his brother to show up and spoil the first bit of peace he'd had for weeks.

He turned to look at Elladan while taking another long drag of his rollie, seeing that his elder twin was looking impeccably dressed and well groomed, as always.

"There's nothing to be done." Elrohir responded lethargically, slowly blowing out the smoke from his mouth.

Elladan gestured his arm towards the masses of people running around the city. "Maybe you could help the men prepare for their journey?" Which only resulted in a snort of disapproval from Elrohir.

"Or maybe you can come and join the king's council to assist in strategizing a plan?"

Elrohir scrunched up his face at the suggestion. "A plan for what? We're not going with these people." He said, resting his forearms on his bent knees.

"We are as far as Dunharrow." Elladan reminded him. "And I'm sure they would welcome your battle expertise right now."

Elrohir waved his hand dismissively. "That's your job, Elladan. You're the talker." He took one last drag from his cigarette before dropping it onto the ground, and stamping it out with his foot. Standing up he walked towards his brother, patting him on the shoulder as he proceeded to walk on by. "You just point me in the direction of the battle, Elladan." Elrohir shouted over his shoulder. "And then I'll do my job."

Elrohir strolled on through the city for a while, taking his time to peer in through some of the window displays of the few shops that were scattered around, remembering how much smaller this human city was compared to Gondor. It had been a number of years since he had last been here in Rohan; his time during the expedition to be precise, which instantly made him think of Lynwen. It had been when he had come home from the expedition nine years ago, that he had first laid eyes on Lynwen as a grown woman, consequently falling head-over-heels in love with her from the moment she had walked into his bedroom on that first morning.

He chuckled to himself now as he thought back to that particular day, remembering how he had been a little fearful of her after she had burst her way into his room, barking orders and throwing clothes at him. He didn't have a clue who she was at first, and had thought that some random mad-woman had managed to break into the elven city, somehow.

He sighed heavily as he recalled the wonderful months that had followed, wondering if he would ever be able to fix his major screw-up. Lynwen had quite simply been the best thing that had ever happened to him, and he'd gone and messed it all up. And all because he'd been scared. Him! Elrohir! Scared! It sounded ridiculous to his own ears, but it was true. Orcs, giant spiders, trolls, murdering psychopaths, and even unhinged wizards didn't faze him one bit. But, love? Well love quite simply terrified him. Especially the love he held for Lynwen. He'd never forget the moment when the realisation that he'd gotten too close to her, had hit him. They had been lazing under the willow tree next to the river in Rivendell, and she had asked him to run away with her, to start a new life together somewhere else in Middle Earth. He could remember his reaction clearly, and knew that he must have come across as reluctant. But the truth had been the complete opposite. He had, in fact, felt his heart swell so much at the thought of running away with her, that everything else in his life suddenly became utterly insignificant; which included his family and his beloved homeland of Imladris. In a single heartbeat, he had been so willing to give up all that he had ever known, and all that he had ever cared about, if it meant that it would bring Lynwen even the tiniest bit of happiness. And it was that realisation; that his love for her had been so completely severe that he would happily give up everything in his life, that had truly petrified him. He had realised at that exact moment that he had fallen so insanely in love with her, that Lynwen unknowingly had had a hold of his fragile heart in the palm of her hand, free to do with it as she saw fit. And so, he had run away, petrified as to whether his heart could possibly survive another breakage. Lynwen was mortal, meaning that death for her was inevitable. And the thought of her dying and taking his hopeless and weak heart with her in the process, had nearly killed him right then and there that day beside the river. And so, consequently, that was the day, nearly nine years ago, that it had all started to go wrong for Lynwen and Elrohir.

But running away from her hadn't worked like he had hoped it would. Instead, his longing for her had only continued to grow with each passing, miserable day that he had been apart from her. But stubbornly, he had continued to fight it, to fight against his love for her, pretending that he was still in complete control of his heart. But he became aware that it had been a useless battle of emotions the day that she had arrived back home in Rivendell, a year ago. Just remembering the utter devastation displayed on her beautiful face as she had stood in his bedroom doorway, watching him in bed with that elleth, had almost killed him. And the way that those blue eyes of hers had looked at him after he had chased after her, displaying all of the hurt, pain and desolation that he had just caused her, had painfully seared right through his chest like a giant spear skewering him at a lightening speed. And then he had had to watch her walk away from him, his failing heart still firmly being held in the palm of her hand.

He turned now, and heavily flopped back against a wall, dragging the palms of his hands down his face in the process. He loved her. By the Valar, he loved her so bloody much, it hurt!

His hands stilled on the bottom half of his face as he caught sight of himself in a window on the opposite side of the cobbled street. He knew in himself that he was fading, what with every day that was spent away from the love of his life, killing another small piece of him in the process. But to actually see himself, to see the desolate way in which his appearance looked, only solidified the reality of what was happening to him. Every day was now a constant struggle, worsening by the day as his body grew weaker and his heart slowly continued to fail. Lynwen was quite simply his lifeline, and without her in it, without her love for him warming his rapidly weakening body, then her absence was steadily and painfully going to kill him.

He sighed heavily as he dropped his arms by his sides, unable to take his eyes off the unrecognisable ellon staring back at him from the reflection in the window. He was dying. It was a realisation that he didn't want to acknowledge, but there was just no running away from it anymore. And he was certain that at the rate his heart and soul were excruciatingly deteriorating, then he'd probably be dead before the year was out.

xxx

"Lynwen, what are you doing?" Legolas' question was asked through a tired and resigned sigh.

"I'm just packing up my things." She answered, stuffing her few changes of clothes into her small backpack.

"Yes, I realise that." Legolas said through another deep sigh. "But why are you packing up your things?"

Lynwen stood in the centre of her assigned room, a finger on her lips in deep thought as she quickly scanned the bedroom. "I think I have everything." She pondered aloud, seemingly oblivious to Legolas' question.

"Lynwen!"

Lynwen looked over to Legolas then, his call snapping her out of her thoughts. "What?" She asked him with a frown.

Legolas sighed yet again; this time it was a deep frustrated exhale as he run his hand over his head. "I asked you why you are packing your bag." He reminded her as calmly as his rising anger would allow.

But Lynwen only scrunched up her face in confusion. "Because we're leaving for Dunharrow."

Legolas pushed himself off the wall, fast, and marched across the room towards her at a tremendous speed. "Oh, no." He said, shaking his head and wagging his finger at her. "No way, Lynwen. You're not coming." He spoke firmly.

But Lynwen only laughed, seemingly unperturbed by her husband's hard and angered expression. "Of course I'm coming." She said with a frown. "What would you have me do? Stay here in Rohan?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I would have you do." Legolas replied firmly. "And that's exactly what you're going to do, Lynwen."

But Lynwen only rolled her eyes, as she walked over to her bed and picked up her backpack, swinging it around onto her back. "OK, I'm ready to go." She announced enthusiastically.

"Lynwen you're not listening!" Legolas' voice was now raised. "You are not coming! I need to keep you safe, and coming with us is not going to be safe."

Lynwen stared blankly at him, patiently waiting for him to finish his rant. "Legolas, every able-bodied man, and every soldier, is leaving Edoras. Not to mention that you and my brothers are also leaving. So do you really think that this city will be my safest bet?"

Legolas opened his mouth to respond, but closed it again after realising that he didn't have an answer.

"You see?" Lynwen said with a smug smirk on her face. "It's actually safer for me if I go with you."

Legolas opened his mouth, but clamped it shut again in frustration because he still didn't have an argument. Damn. She was right. There was about to be a mass-exodus from this city, and who would be left to protect her? No one, that's who.

He turned from her and began to pace the room, stroking his hand over his jawline as he tried to decide what to do for the best. The twins had brought word from Rivendell, suggesting that Aragorn should seek help from an army that had remained cursed and hidden away for millennia. And it was known that, seeking the assistance from this particular army wasn't going to to be an easy, or even a safe task, so there was absolutely no way that Lynwen was going to accompany them there. No way in hell!

But if she accompanied them as far as Dunharrow, then he could at least keep her safe until he, Aragorn, Gimli and the twins would then have to depart for their special task. But what about after that? Would she be safe with the Rohirrim soldiers? Possibly. But they were only setting up camp in Dunharrow for a short time, purely to wait for further aid to arrive before they would all then leave for Gondor. To war. Then where would Lynwen go? Would she stay in Dunharrow on her own? Would she travel back to Rohan, again, alone?

Legolas began shaking his head. "I'm sorry Lynwen, but I just can't think of a way of keeping you safe outside of this building, therefore you cannot come with us, not even as far as Dunharrow..."

A knock on the bedroom door interrupted Legolas' seemingly pointless protest, as Lynwen just shouted out over his head for whoever it was to enter.

"Elladan!" She exclaimed in excitement after her brother had entered into the room. A huge beaming smile spread across her face as she ran across the bedroom to where her brother was now standing, flinging her arms around his neck, and knocking him back slightly in the process.

But Elladan just laughed and wrapped his own arms tightly around his little sister's frame, holding her firmly to him. "Hi muinthel." He said as he released his hold of her. "It's good to see you again." He simply added, his lips pulled into a genuine smile as he looked at her. But then his brows came together in a frown. "But you've lost a lot of weight."

"That's exactly what I said!" Legolas added from the other side of the room, causing Lynwen to roll her eyes. These guys. Always fussing.

"Well, I have been travelling out in the wilderness for the last number of months, so yeah, of course I've lost weight." She added with another roll of her eyes. "Anyway, I've just finished getting my things together, so I'm ready to leave when you are."

Legolas quite literally felt his blood boil with rage. Why was she not listening to him? Had he somehow, throughout the night, acquired the ability to become invisible?

But before Legolas could protest, Elladan spoke first. "OK muinthel, give me your bag and I will pack it up with my things. Do you have a horse?"

Legolas just stared at the elder twin open-mouthed. What? Did Elladan just approve Lynwen's desire to travel with them? No, no, hell no!

"Um, Elladan," Legolas said, causing the twin to look up from his conversation with Lynwen. "I was actually just telling Lynwen that it's probably safer if she remains here in Rohan."

Elladan looked at the Mirkwood Prince for a few silent moments, clearly contemplating his words. "Yes, maybe you're right..."

"But all the men are leaving Rohan!" Lynwen quickly interjected, panicked at the thought that she was rapidly losing this battle. "So there will be no soldiers here to protect Edoras if it comes under attack!"

Elladan looked down at his sister then, his eyes slightly wide in horror at that terrifying image Lynwen just painted. "Yes, you're right." He said. "You'll be here alone, pretty much..."

"But, safe." Legolas reiterated.

Elladan looked from Legolas to Lynwen, as he clearly tried to figure out what to do for the best. "I can't deny that I'd rather have you by my side, so that I can personally ensure your safety..."

"And after Dunharrow?" Legolas said, secretly reminding him of the task that he, Elladan, Elrohir, Aragorn and Gimli were going to undertake.

Elladan nodded his understanding, knowing that Lynwen couldn't accompany them on that, and that they would have to part from her after reaching Dunharrow. But then he remembered something that he had just been told outside. "Actually, a lot of the women are accompanying the men to Dunharrow, where they are then planning to remain in refuge."

Lynwen's mouth pulled into an enormous smile as she turned her head to look at Legolas. "Well, that's it then. I'll travel with you, and then stay with the women in Dunharrow."

Legolas had to use everything he had to steady his rising temper. Why the hell did Elladan have to poke his nose into this!?

Because he's her brother, that's why, Legolas reminded himself. And as far as Elladan was aware, it was his job to keep Lynwen safe, for the elder twin didn't know that Lynwen actually had a husband who was more than capable of doing that job.

Legolas bit his tongue to prevent from saying anything out of line, and simply, but reluctantly, nodded his head.

"Great!" Elladan exclaimed, looking down to Lynwen. "So, what about a horse?"

"She can ride with me." Legolas cut in sharply.

Elladan looked up to the prince for a few silent seconds, before he slowly started nodding his head. "Very well. I'll go down now and ensure that your horse is prepared accordingly."

Legolas lowered his head in a forced gratitude. "Hannon le." Was all he said before bringing his head back up to face the Rivendell lord, a hard expression on his face.

Elladan stared back at him for a few moments before politely bowing his own head, and taking a step back out of the room. "I'll see you outside, muinthel." He said with a smile as he looked to Lynwen. Then after one last wary glance at Legolas, he left the chambers, and closed the door behind him.

Elladan stood outside the room for a few moments as he tried to establish what was up. Something seemed to be going on with Legolas, but he wasn't sure what it was. It was like the prince had been in a permanent defensive stance the entire time Elladan had been in that room, as if he was guarding something. But what was he guarding? What was causing the prince to want to protect something so much that it was causing a passionate fury to emanate from his eyes?

He shook his head in confusion as he began walking away, making his way through the stone corridors, and back outside into the chaos.

xxx

"All I'm saying is that if he continues to stare daggers at me, then I'm going to knock him out." Elrohir simply said as he casually leaned back against the wooden wall within the stables.

Aragorn laughed, but very quickly regretted it as his headache intensified, causing him to reach up and hold onto his head. He really wished he hadn't drunk so much last night!

But Elladan wasn't laughing, and only sighed deeply. "Elrohir, we are in his homeland. And we are his uncle's guests. So if Éomer wants to stare at you, then quite frankly, there is nothing that you can do about it."

But despite what his elder twin said, Elrohir wasn't going to take any shit from Éomer, and that was that! He kicked himself away from the partitioning he had been leaning against to stand upright. "How has he been with you?" He asked Aragorn.

Aragorn slowly brought his hand away from his forehead. "Well, he hasn't really done anything to me."

Elrohir's stance stiffened as he furrowed his brow at his foster brother. "What do you mean 'he hasn't really done anything to you'? Does that mean he's done something to somebody else?" His grey eyes had intensified to a dangerous stare as they bored into Aragorn. "Has he done something to Lynwen?"

Aragorn only let out a long sigh as he held onto his head again. He really didn't have the energy to be dealing with a furious Elrohir. And furious was exactly what the youngest twin would be once he found out what Éomer had said to Lynwen at the party last night. He looked to Elladan to silently seek some sort of support, but was alarmed to discover that the eldest twin was also glaring at him with a deathly-stare.

"Estel? Did he do something to Lynwen?" Elladan repeated his twin's words, in a voice that was obviously struggling to remain level.

Aragorn's arms dropped to his sides in defeat. "He said some things last night. Stupid things, that just aren't important."

"Let me be the judge of that." Elrohir chillingly said.

Aragorn looked back and forth between the twins, contemplating what to say. If he told them exactly what had happened, then judging by the look in Elrohir's eyes, he was quite certain that the youngest twin would probably go and do some serious damage to Éomer, which wouldn't help to keep relations civil. And Aragorn desperately needed his relationship with Rohan to remain on friendly terms if they stood even the slightest chance of defeating Sauron.

"Estel." Elladan prompted in a steely voice, which caused Aragorn to sigh again.

"OK, he said some pretty bad things." Aragorn reluctantly admitted. "But I dealt with it. He won't be bothering Lynwen again."

"What did he say?" Elrohir seethed.

"Elrohir, just leave it be. Please." Aragorn pleaded.

But Elrohir firmly shook his head. "Not possible. Now tell me."

Aragorn's head hurt way too much to argue. So, he told them exactly what had happened. Everything that Éomer had said to Lynwen. And at how the entire party had been forced to listen to his insults.

Elladan suddenly reached out and grabbed a hold of Elrohir's arm. "Elrohir, no." He ordered sternly after seeing that his younger brother was about to storm out of the stables. "Beating Éomer to a pulp isn't going to fix anything."

"But it'll sure as hell make me feel better." Elrohir argued.

But Elladan's grip tightened on his brother's arm. "I'm angry too, but seeking revenge from someone that we need on our side is only going to cause more trouble. It will ruin our cause!"

Aragorn nodded his agreement, silently grateful that Elladan was understanding the importance of keeping Rohan on their side. Legolas' brutish behaviour towards Éomer last night, really didn't help matters, and if Elrohir was to attack Éomer too, then it could signal disaster for their alliance.

But Elrohir took longer to convince. "Fine!" He eventually said, snatching his arm away from his brother. "But if he says anything, or even looks at Lynwen in a way I don't like, then I can't be held responsible for my actions."

Elladan simply nodded, seemingly agreeing with his brother. "Fair enough." Was all he said.

xxx

Lynwen affectionately nuzzled her face into the mane of Elladan's horse, simultaneously stroking his face with her hand as she stood alone with the enormous steed. "Hello, you." She softly spoke into his ear, smiling as he playfully nudged her with his head. "I've missed you." She whispered.

The warmth from the sun was a wonderful contrast to the cold weather of late, as she took pleasure in the heat gently warming her entire body. And doubled with the thick woollen cloak that Lynwen was wearing, she was feeling comfortably toasty warm at that moment, causing her to close her eyes as she nuzzled her face into the horse, some more.

The town was still buzzing with activity as the Rohirrim continued with their preparations to leave for Gondor, with people shouting and running all over the place. But here, alone with this fantastic beast, with the sun blanketing them both in a comforting and serene light, only caused the madness of the people to fade away into the background. It was wonderfully peaceful.

The steady and slow approach of a horse's hooves clip clopping on the cobbled ground towards them, caused Lynwen to open her eyes to see who had joined her. And still, even after everything that had happened between them, and even after her having fallen in love with somebody else, she was amazed by how the mere sight of Elrohir could still make her heart skip a beat.

She gulped at the awe-inspiring sight of him sitting atop his enormous black stallion, towering over her small frame. He was dressed mostly in black, with his long dark hair roughly pulled back into a low ponytail. A few shorter strands of his hair had come loose from his hair-tie, and were framing his beautifully handsome face, as he proceeded to look at Lynwen from his great height atop his horse. He looked magnificent in that moment. A force to be reckoned with.

"Hello." Was all Lynwen awkwardly said, not really knowing what else to say.

"Elladan tells me that you're travelling with us as far as Dunharrow."

Lynwen couldn't help being a little taken aback by his direct and no-nonsense attitude. "Uh, yeah, that's right."

He nodded at that, looking away from her for a few moments, his ancient grey eyes scanning the crowds of people. And the hardened mask that he had been donning just seconds ago, was slowly crumbling away, revealing an expression that showed his inner conflict.

He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, seemingly struggling with something that he wanted to say, his eyes still looking out at the crowds. But it was obvious that he was miles away, despite his line of vision being aimed at the people of Rohan.

"I'm glad you're coming." He finally said as he brought his gaze back onto her, making Lynwen wonder if that was what he had been trying to say just now. But she suspected that it wasn't

And all she could do in response to his declaration was to look down at the ground. How was she supposed to respond to that?

"Do you have a horse?" He suddenly asked, causing her to look back up at him. His eyes locked onto hers, the intensity of his deep stare preventing Lynwen from looking away. "You can ride with me." He offered, his voice sounding hopeful.

But Legolas suddenly appearing in-between them, his tall frame facing Elrohir head-on as he hid Lynwen protectively behind him, severed any link that had just formed.

"She's riding with me." Legolas said in a stern voice, before turning around to face Lynwen, completely dismissing the Rivendell twin by showing him his back. "Do you have everything?" He asked Lynwen.

It took a number of moments for her to formulate a response to her husband. "Yeah." Was all she could say, still shocked by Legolas' behaviour just then. She looked over his shoulder and at Elrohir still sitting atop his horse, his expression thankfully showing that he obviously hadn't thought anything odd of Legolas' territorial behaviour. He just looked deflated, meaning that if he had picked up on Legolas' primitive actions, then he obviously just thought that Lynwen was merely being protected from him by her best friend.

"Very well." Elrohir said, his demeanour looking utterly defeated. "I'll see you two later." And with that, he nudged his horse forward with his heels, and slowly made his way across the courtyard.

"That was really rude!" Lynwen scolded her husband once Elrohir had vanished from sight.

But Legolas only stared into Lynwen's eyes, his gaze hard, but pensive. "I don't like the way he looks at you." He said, his brow furrowed slightly with his obvious discomfort and unease. "He's still in love with you, Lynwen, and I fear that he will continue to pursue you until he has won you back."

Lynwen instantly softened at his explanation and raised her hand to tenderly stroke her husband's cheek, bringing him out of his deep thoughts. "He can pursue me all he likes, Legolas," She spoke softly, her thumb affectionately stroking his soft skin. "But it will all be for nothing. Because it is you that I want."

Legolas gently took a hold of her hand and pulled it away from his face, subtly placing a light kiss in the palm of her hand. "I know." He said through a heartfelt sigh. "But I do fear that his constant presence will only fit to confuse you, Lynwen." He said, his eyes boring right into hers and displaying all of his worries and concerns.

But Lynwen only smiled, showing him through her softened expression that he was over-reacting. "Legolas, you have nothing to worry about. As I told you last night, I'm yours."

Legolas didn't respond verbally, and only nodded his head. Last night he had been comforted in Lynwen's revelation that the Rivendell twin meant nothing to her anymore. But now, after having just secretly watched their interaction from the sidelines, he wasn't so sure. He turned and looked over his shoulder in the direction that Elrohir had just disappeared to, looking forward to the day when this blasted war would be over, and to finally being able to declare Lynwen as his. And his, alone!

"C'mon." He said, taking her rucksack from her back and slinging it over his own shoulder. "Arod is saddled and ready to go."

Lynwen gave Elladan's horse one last affectionate stroke of his mane, before turning to walk away with Legolas.